The death of Karnataka IAS officer D. K. Ravi under mysterious circumstances earlier this week disrupted proceedings in the Lok Sabha on Thursday as BJP member Prahlad Joshi billed it a murder and accused the State government of a cover up as the bureaucrat had initiated action against the real estate lobby.

Mr. Joshi — a member from Karnataka — echoed the demand for a CBI inquiry made by the officer’s family even as Congress members protested against the allegations levelled against the Karnataka government by the BJP MP. Intervening in the matter, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the Centre would order a CBI probe if the State government made such a recommendation.

Further, he informed the House that he had been in touch with the Karnataka Chief Minister on this case and had been told that a detailed report would be sent to the Centre within two days. As the verbal crossfire continued with Congress members protesting in the Well, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

D.K. Ravi death, Karnataka IAS officer death, Prahlad Joshi, Congress-BJP spat